Print edition for November 6, 2002

UMC asks county to cover $37 million debt: Adrienne Packer; University Medical Center officials announced Tuesday they need at least a $37 million subsidy from Clark County, an amount that could potentially wipe out the county's major project funds for the year.

State GOP influence swells: Erin Neff; Tuesday's Republican tidal wave in Nevada not only flooded the best Democratic hopes for office but will also have a ripple effect in policy decisions and future elections.

Henderson rejects library help again: Jeffrey Libby; Henderson voters turned down a library tax Tuesday, but Boulder City voters decided a motocross park was an appropriate use of desert land after initially opposing the idea.

DiRupo keeps lead at Storm LV Challenge: DiRupo chalked up seven of nine scores above 203 highlighted by a 234, a 238 and a 242. The tournament leader averaged 216.22 during the nine-game block.

Heavily backed Forbuss loses: Jennifer Knight; Despite having the endorsement of almost every major politician in the state, Robert Forbuss lost the Board of Regents' seat in District 2 Tuesday to newcomer Bret Whipple.

Lewis eager to return to court: NEXT UP

Election outcome will likely boost sales for gambling firms: By Liz Benston; The election of pro-gambling governors in Pennsylvania and Maryland will likely create a windfall for slot machine manufacturers, though increased competition makes it difficult to poinpoint potential winners among casino operators, Wall Street analysts said today.

Marriage proposal heading to Legislature: Voters overwhelmingly agreed to amend Nevada's constitution to stipulate that marriage is legal only among heterosexual couples.

Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Newman/Haas Racing picks Junqueira: CART team owners Paul Newman and Carl Haas wasted little time in filling their driver vacancy Tuesday.

Recreation gets boost while some other tax deals lose: CARSON CITY -- Nevadans agreed Tuesday to open their pocketbooks to preserve open spaces and recreational areas and to provide more help to poor families in paying their property tax.

Sobel loses, Mosley wins in heated races: Kim Smith; Attorney Jackie Glass beat out incumbent District Court Judge Jeffrey Sobel Tuesday in a particularly bitter battle, but negative campaigning didn't work in two other high-profile judicial races.

RTC's $2.7 billion tax package passes: A formidable alliance of nonprofit groups, government agencies and elected boards and local industry of all stripes guided a proposed $2.7 billion tax initiative to victory Tuesday.

Revenue, cash flow improve for LV operator: Revenue for the 2002 quarter was $61.4 million, up 6.8 percent from the year-ago period. Cash flow or EBITDA -- earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization -- was $8.7 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up 1.1 percent from the year-ago quarter.

Vargas asks for leniency: Dean Juipe; The Nevada State Athletic Commission is in receipt of a letter from professional boxer Fernando Vargas in which the fighter accepts responsibility for testing positive for a banned substance following his Sept. 14 loss to Oscar De La Hoya at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Guinn faces tough test in second term: CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn, who rolled to a landslide victory Tuesday, will likely find his second term a lot tougher than his first.

Voters back public power agency: Tuesday's Question 14 ballot victory caused supporters to call for Sierra Pacific Resources to change its tune and consider a $3.2 billion offer by the Southern Nevada Water Authority to acquire subsidiary Nevada Power Co.

Berkley to focus on Yucca Mountain: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., today said she is concerned the new Republican-controlled Congress will approve a temporary nuclear waste storage facility near Yucca Mountain, so that waste can be shipped before the permanent dump project is complete.

Nolan unseats Rocha as Waters, Boylan win: By Emily Richmond; In a surprise result, retired Clark County special education teacher Dorothy Nolan unseated Priscilla Rocha for a spot on the state Board of Education Tuesday, with incumbent Gary Waters and newcomer Patrick Boylan also winning their races.

Cougars pull off stunner against Cowboys: Leah Robinson; The Coronado Cougars emerged victorious in a volleyball slugfest Tuesday night, beating Chaparral in a five-game match in the Sunrise Region quarterfinals.

Porter routs Herrera in bid for new seat: Erin Neff; Fresh from a resounding victory over Democrat Dario Herrera in the rancorous 3rd Congressional District race, Republican Jon Porter called for an end to the partisan bickering in Washington.

Dave's game: As Ben Crenshaw strolled to the back nine of DragonRidge Country Club on Tuesday afternoon in the Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge, he reminisced about Dave Thomas under the shade of a tree.

UNLV men post win at tourney in Hawaii: The Rebels shot one-over par 289 in Tuesday's final round at the par-72 Links at Kuilima to win by four over Tennessee.

Better turnout seen for this midterm election: Timothy Pratt and Jace Radke; Tuesday's elections drew 50,000 more Clark County voters than the last midterm elections, in 1998, an official with the county election department said.

State lawmakers look ahead: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- After 20 years with four members of Congress, Nevada now has five lawmakers serving the state on Capitol Hill: three Republicans and two Democrats.

Columnist Jeff German: Democrats have selves to blame: Under the stars, amid the opulent surroundings, were several hundred well-dressed Republicans, sipping fine wine and snacking on bacon-wrapped scallops and marinated vegetables, celebrating "Victory 2002."

Slot cheat nominated to Nevada Black Book: By Liz Benston; The suspected ringleader of a slot cheating gang that made off with millions of dollars and was considered a threat to the nation's casino industry has been nominated for inclusion in Nevada's infamous "Black Book."

Young claims sheriff's job: Jen Lawson; Hugging his wife and children, Metro Police Deputy Chief Bill Young claimed victory in the race for sheriff Tuesday night, defeating Capt. Randy Oaks.

Ocean Spray CEO out: Board member Barbara S. Thomas, a former president of Warner Lambert's consumer healthcare division, will serve as interim CEO during the search for a replacement.

SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt resigns under pressure: Marcy Gordon; WASHINGTON -- Harvey Pitt, who provoked outcries over his ethics in a string of political missteps, resigned under pressure as the government's top securities regulator. The Bush White House, embarrassed by Pitt's troubles, was relieved to have him go.

Trial may have lifted Roger to DA: Adrienne Packer; The moment Judge Joseph Bonaventure drove his gavel into its sounding block ending the Ted Binion murder trial, David Roger's stock skyrocketed.

Columnist Dean Juipe: NFL goes overboard with upsets: Dean Juipe; The National Football League's greatest asset -- its unpredictability -- is, in the eyes of many of its followers, becoming a liability.

North Las Vegas casino owner posts lower results: Revenue increased 26 percent to a record $77.2 million and cash flow, or EBITDA, rose 10 percent to a record $14.7 million.

Aside from Nevada, gay causes fare well in election: AP; The three openly gay members of Congress won re-election by landslide margins; Providence, R.I., became the largest city with an openly gay mayor; and activists prevailed in three referendums on municipal nondiscrimination codes.

Gibbons vows to keep up homeland security efforts: Erin Neff; Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons thanked voters for overwhelmingly electing him to a fourth term Tuesday and vowed to continue his homeland security efforts in Congress.

Marijuana issue soundly defeated: An effort to make Nevada the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana possession failed when Question 9 went down to defeat in Tuesday's general election.

Lieutenant governor's post kept by Hunt: Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt was re-elected by a margin of 10 percentage points Tuesday in a campaign noted for slashing attacks by both candidates.

Governor reappoints two to NSAC posts: Homansky has served since July 2000 and Avansino was appointed this year. Both were named to fill unexpired terms and now will have full three-year terms.

Reid's role in Senate shrinks: Benjamin Grove; WASHINGTON -- By Tuesday night it had already been a long week for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., a politician who wasn't even in an Election Day race.

Parker, Utah look to take out frustrations on Rebels: Steve Guiremand; Arnold Parker admits he has had Saturday's game with UNLV circled for some time.

Sandoval completes state GOP sweep: Erin Neff; Republican Brian Sandoval handily beat Democrat John Hunt on Tuesday and returned the attorney general's office to the GOP for the first time in 12 years.

Legislative leadership sees challenge: Cy Ryan and Erin Neff; CARSON CITY -- Democrats failed to make any headway in their drive to take over the state Senate in Tuesday's election, and there's some unrest with Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus of Las Vegas.

Winners call vote a mandate: By Emily Richmond; Sheila Moulton, Susan Brager and Larry Mason were re-elected to the Clark County School Board on Tuesday, with voters choosing the seasoned incumbents over novice challengers.

SEC expands charges against WorldCom: Marcy Gordon; WASHINGTON -- The government on Tuesday expanded its civil fraud charges against WorldCom and the company raised its estimate of inflated earnings to more than $9 billion in one of the most stunning accounting scandals of the past year.

Officials say free buffet for voters violates law: By Timothy Pratt; In an Election Day outcome with a decidedly Las Vegas twist, tens of thousands of voters feasted free at Station Casinos buffets across the valley -- apparently illegally.

New members expected to cool off fireworks: Adrienne Packer; A political old-timer secured her Clark County Commission seat for her third term, and two candidates embedded in Nevada politics who were viewed as shoo-ins after September's primary were just that.

Community briefs for Nov. 6, 2002: The fourth workshop in a series of five sponsored by Clark County and the Energy Department's Rebuild America program will be 8 p.m. Friday in the County Government Center Chambers, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.

Republicans keep grip as majority party: Jeffrey Libby; In a night of victories for their party, Clark County state Senate Republicans grabbed an edge where previously there had been a split.

Three incumbents hold onto their jobs: Adrienne Packer; While three incumbent Clark County department heads will keep their jobs come January, two other divisions will receive new leadership.

Columnist Muriel Stevens: More show and tell at mall: It is a super store, but every day?

Berkley holds off Boggs McDonald: Erin Neff; Despite falling short in her bid for Congress, Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald impressed political observers Tuesday by coming within 11 percent of Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley despite a huge voter registration and fund-raising disadvantage.

Veteran Democrats booted in north: CARSON CITY -- It was a good day for the GOP in Northern Nevada Assembly races.

Neighbors tell different story of suspect: Kim Smith; Susanne Carno, perfect wife and mother or adulterous wife desperate to kill her husband?

Columnist Peter Benton: Fleming, Brittain duo win at Southshore: Peter Benton; The Southshore Golf Club's annual Member-Guest tournament was played last week on a course in absolutely pristine shape and under ideal weather conditions.

Tracking latest trends in pet eats: Maxc Jacobson; Bakeries, you say? Picture a glass case filled with a variety of treats baked in the store, in shapes and colors strangely reminiscent of what we humans eat. We're talking Puppy Pretzels, Barbecue Beefy Ribs, Cheezy Tails, Peanut Butter Bears and several other treats, all of which sell for $7 the half pound.

State officers map goals for their second terms: CARSON CITY -- Secretary of State Dean Heller wants a change in the law to make it tougher for politicians to hide their campaign contributions, Controller Kathy Augustine intends to step up collections of bad debts owed to the state and Treasurer Brian Krolicki plans to expand the college saving plan.

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Bloomingdale's event highlights mall expansion: Elizabeth Foyt; At breakfast were Deborah Levy, Carelia Delacroix with daughter Angelica Gerome, Barbara Molasky, Suzy Nagle, Leslie Parraguirre with Bloomingdale's personal shopper Don Dennise, Denise Cashman, Heidi Grable and Von Heinz.

Editorial: GOP scores some big victories: Of course, Bush steered clear of Nevada in his recent political barnstorming across the nation. That wasn't too surprising since Bush signed off on the plan to send 77,000 tons of high-level nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain, a decision universally condemned in this state. If Bush had come here, it would have been a jarring reminder of his decision, and it could have spilled over and hurt fellow Republicans running for House seats. Now that the House and Senate are in Republican control, a renewed effort might be made to store high-level nuclear waste here temporarily while the Nuclear Regulatory ...

Obituaries for Nov. 6, 2002: Marjorie M. Bandle, 84, of Las Vegas died Sunday in a local hospital. She was born July 9, 1918, in Toledo, Iowa. A resident for 50 years, she was a homemaker, a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the Parent Teachers Association and former den mother for the Boy Scouts.

Supreme Court rejects appeal of LV killer: CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court Tuesday rejected the appeal of Jason D. Webber, who sought to withdraw his guilty plea to first-degree murder in the 2001 fatal shooting of his brother-in-law in Las Vegas.

GOP picks up seats, but Democrats do well in south: Jeffrey Libby; Two Republican doctors won convincing victories in Assembly races Tuesday, promising to deliver the first professional medical advice from within the people's house since the medical malpractice crisis hit the state last summer.

Voters refuse to toss Moss, other women: Erica D. Johnson; Women candidates were overwhelmingly victorious in Family Court departments, with only one male incumbent pulling out a win.

Air Force joins virtual, real combat situations: Jace Radke; A mixture of virtual and live combatants will be part of an Air Force simulation of World War III when Nellis Air Force Base hosts a Red Flag exercise in January.

With BC-NV-ELN--Nevada Props: AP; Question 1 - Authorizes $200 million in general obligation bonds to preserve water quality, protect open space, lakes, river, wetlands and wildlife habitat and improve parks and other recreational areas and historic sites statewide. Passed.

Dream Weaver: Gardner steps his way into kids' hearts: He's known by students as colleagues as a tireless choreographer, dance instructor, director and altruist determined to make dreams come true.

Cop describes deprivation at child's home: Jace Radke; Detective Todd Wellman remembers finding very little food in the Henderson home where he discovered an 18-month-old girl dead on Oct. 1.

Washington overcomes legal woes to keep District 2: CARSON CITY -- State Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, celebrating his re-election to a third term, joked, "Even jailbirds can fly."

VegasBeat -- Timothy McDarrah: CPK crowd is more than upper crust: But this is Las Vegas, and every other store in the Fashion Show mall had a party last week, so why not California Pizza Kitchen?

Nolan beats Lamuraglia to take over O'Donnell's seat: Jeffrey Libby; Forty-one-year-old Republican Dennis Nolan ended what he called the longest year of his life Tuesday night.

Three incumbents pull off victories: Jen Lawson; Incumbents were victorious in three local constable races Tuesday night, with Robert "Bobby G" Gronauer in Las Vegas, Earl Mitchell in Henderson and Herb Brown in North Las Vegas remaining in office for another four years.

Savvy wine buys: Fess Parker Frontier Red '00: His winery is best known for Syrah and Pinot Noir, but this blend of seven grapes, a rustic red table wine, is delicious in its own right. It is 34 percent Syrah, 30 percent Cabernet Franc, plus Grenache, Cinsault, Merlot and Zinfandel, all barrel aged in 100 percent oak for 15 months.

Cost-cutting target rises to $4 billion: Chairman and Chief Executive Donald J. Carty told employees of AMR Corp. about the deeper cuts in a recorded telephone message.

Voters tell lawmakers: Stop second-hand smoke: Adrienne Packer; Southern Nevadans sent a clear message to state legislators Tuesday night: They're tired of inhaling second-hand smoke in public places such as restaurants.

Ralph Siraco's selections for Thursday's races at Hollywood Park: Thursday's card

Letter: Save sympathy for the victims: I believe that after those two sniper murders are given a fair trial and found guilty, they should be stood in front of a firing squad to feel what it's like to have a bullet penetrate a person's body and end that person's life.

Thursday's horse racing entries: Post Time 12:30 p.m.

News briefs for Nov. 6, 2002: Metro Police are investigating a possible gang tie in the shooting death of a man in the 3800 block of North Nellis Boulevard.

No charges planned in UNR drowning: Jennifer Knight; Criminal charges will not be filed in the drowning of an 18-year-old fraternity pledge from Las Vegas at the University of Nevada, Reno, officials said Tuesday.

Vegas mall owner expanding in Southern California: San Diego-based Pan Pacific will issue 0.218 a share of its stock for each share of Center Trust. That values Center Trust shares at $7.46, or $219 million, a 31 percent premium to their closing price yesterday. The price also includes the assumption or retirement of $364 million of debt and transactions costs.

Letter: Investigate para-transit bus service: You are asked to bring in medical records, yet none are used in deciding your entitlement. They walk across Sahara Avenue with you, let you climb a few steps, and from that determine the severity of your condition. I am of the opinion that all seniors in their 70s and above should be allowed to have this service. After all, that will keep them out of their cars and off the roads.

Letter: Bush campaigns with our money: Why should Americans who are not Republicans be forced to subsidize the election of Republicans? Was our president on a paid vacation, or is this practice just another perquisite of acting like the emperor?